LA Clippers

How the Clippers can tread water in the Western Conference

Published Jun. 4, 2015 4:59 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Clippers have become a perennial playoff fixture in the Western Conference since acquiring Chris Paul before the 2011-12 season. Four years, four straight 50-win paces (the Clips went 40-26 during the lockout season), four straight postseason appearances.

So, how can the Clippers return to the playoffs once again in 2015-16? Fred Katz has a three-step plan at Bleacher Report. Step one is obvious: re-sign DeAndre Jordan.

Here's what he has to say:

Click here to find out the final two steps.

The Clippers have won upwards of 55 games three years in a row so the playoffs are looking pretty good for next year regardless. How far they go in the tournament is another discussion...

(H/t to Fred Katz at bleacher Report.)

Photo Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

If D.J. walks, he takes the Clippers D with him. Whether you believe Jordan was a deserving First-Team All-Defense member or not, it's nearly impossible to argue against him being the Clippers' most important defender. Sure, Chris Paul may be more effective, but an anchoring center is always going to add significantly more impact to a defensive unit than a point guard.

Defense is about the back-line help. And while Griffin picked up his D during the playoffs, we don't have reason to suspect he'll be on anything other than the cruise-control, regular-season defender he was this past season. That means Jordan would have to be the Clips' entire back-line defense once again.

L.A. is right up against the cap even if Jordan leaves. It wouldn't be able to afford someone of his caliber to take over the center spot, unless it got particularly lucky with a sign-and-trade.

The Clips need D.J. as much as D.J. needs them. And make no mistake about it: D.J. is best off from a basketball perspective with the Clippers.